when Liverpool Champions Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville review the start of the season Premier League Predictions on Sky Sports Manchester United The symbol doubled its title-winning support Arsenal.
This is certainly bold, with the Anfield side nine points clear of third-placed Arsenal as we head into the new year, but it offers a cautionary tale for those buying into the Reds. The league is not over yet, and there are sure to be some twists and turns.
under Jurgen KloppLiverpool was one day late and short of dollars in many battles with it Manchester City and real madrid For the biggest prizes, however Arnie slot It brought new control and consistency. There is an air of determination in the Reds team, which is impressive all over the pitch.
Flawless at the top UEFA Champions League In the group stage too, Liverpool are flying, and that's all the more commendable when considering the off-pitch distractions that would have frustrate many higher-level teams.
Contracts. A word that strikes fear on Merseyside. We have entered the testing area.
Where does Liverpool stand regarding contracts?
2025 is upon us Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold They are free to negotiate with whomever they want abroad regarding the pre-contract agreement.
According to many sourcesVan Dijk and Salah are in promising positions regarding renewals. Liverpool implicitly expect to extend their contract despite the protracted nature of the discussions.
However, it is different for Alexander-Arnold, the childhood Liverpool fan drawn to the appeal of Real Madrid, who are in need of a right-back and are ramping up the gas for their first goal of 2025.
The next few weeks will be pivotal, but there is an undercurrent around the Anfield fanbase. When Los Blancos come with a call, it's hard to turn down – and Trent is clearly drawn to the suggestion.
However, this is not the only battle FSG have to worry about, as Real Madrid are believed to have registered an interest in another Liverpool player.
Move focus
Big money deals, controversial moves and big name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinions via Football FanCast.
Real Madrid is looking forward to another star from Liverpool
According to Spanish reportsReal Madrid are looking to pile more transfer misery on Liverpool by scoring Alexis McAllisterfrom He signed for Anfield from Brighton for £35 million In 2023.
The Spaniards' machinations are real, but Liverpool have responded decisively by placing a €100m (£83m) price tag on the Argentine star.
McAllister, 26, is under contract with the club until 2028, but only recently joined Express desire To play in the Spanish League in the future.
Why would losing Alexis Mac Allister be bad news?
Despite knocking out Real Madrid in the Champions League in November, Liverpool may be feeling like a punching bag, having lost the Champions League final to them, missing several high-profile goals and now facing the prospect of losing Alexander-Arnold. On free.
Should Mac Allister leave too: serious consequences for the Slot project. The dynamic midfielder is not always the one who steals the headlines, but he operates as a powerful midfielder, crushing tackles, innovative on the ball and influential in his leadership and decision-making.
However, metrics are still working to confirm its value. According to FBrefMac Allister ranked in the top 5% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot creation movements and tackles, as well as the top 15% for progressive passes per 90.
When looking at his performances in the Premier League over the past two seasons, you can really see how he has adapted to Liverpool's transition under Slot, being less present and more structured in the Dutch coach's strategic system.
|
Alexis McAllister – Liverpool Premier League statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
||
|
Objectives |
0.17 |
0.07 |
|
Helps |
0.17 |
0.15 |
|
Complete the pass |
86.5% |
86% |
|
Passes attempted |
68.11 |
53.40 |
|
Progressive passes |
7.24 |
6.43 |
|
Holds progressivism |
1.52 |
1.31 |
|
Touches (pen) |
1.11 |
2.05 |
|
prog. Passes received |
1.66 |
2.56 |
|
Retrieve the ball |
6.75 |
5.92 |
|
Interventions + interceptions |
4.64 |
4.53 |
|
Blocks |
2.25 |
2.48 |
|
Statistics via FBref |
||
He is more advanced than before, mainly because Ryan Gravenberch has been outstanding in his deep midfield role, instilling control through his elegant, silky technical quality.
McAllister still brings the punch to Liverpool football, but he does so in a way that matches another thriving midfielder. It is small details like these that set Slot apart from his managerial peers and push Liverpool to the top.
The balance is absolutely right and FSG cannot allow Real Madrid to disrupt it. Going back to that first point, the Reds cannot get ahead of themselves; As the main characters keep repeating themselves, they must remain humble and focused on the next match.
But Slott has something special at Liverpool and must be provided with the tools to achieve lasting success. Liverpool have a platform from which to achieve and sustain prosperity during this new era, but McAllister is the lynchpin in the middle, enabling plenty of success to those around him.
Losing Alexander-Arnold or Salah would be a nightmare, but in Trent's case, Richard Hughes has had plenty of time to prepare and make plans if the terrifying possibility materializes in a strong way.
Imagine if this problem was exacerbated by McAlister's trip as well. Liverpool will never be able to recover from such a series of setbacks, like falling dominoes, and all the amazing work that has been done since the German left Liverpool in 2024 will be derailed.
Of course, Liverpool's endurance, and ability to bounce back, has been something to behold over the past decade, and even if all these dire predictions come true in negative form, Anfield will not collapse like some of their (no names) neighbors.
But McAllister's continued presence in Liverpool's midfield could be the difference between the first four pushes and the excitement of the title chase. like said critic Joe ColeMcAllister is a 'star' who 'can play anywhere' in midfield.
There is a stain on Liverpool, and it is stained on the fabric of the Reds' sensational season. How much of an impact they will have over the coming months is very much open to question, but another blemish in the form of the upcoming sale of Mac Allister, which rises in volume like the away section at Anfield when opponents take a surprise lead, could be a big problem indeed.
Let's just hope that with Liverpool routinely returning to victory on the pitch, Hughes and his teammates can end this worrying impasse in the boardroom and silence the jubilant Madrid fans smelling victory in this transfer battle.
